Sergeant Hartman's Story

Chapter 16: Flashbacks

Pennywise gave one last "NOOOOOO!" As he disappeared into nothingness.

"Woah, did you do that?"Terra asked while staring at me.

"No." I replied, shocked. "Must have been a force or something. We'll have to figure that out later. Time to go back home?"

"What about Georgie?" Ventus asked.

That I had to think about. I knew that Georgie had to go back to his family, but it seemed like Ven had grown a strong friendship with the boy. So I decided to let him stay the night, then go back. it was a fair deal.

"Oh, I almost forgot." As if on cue, Terra pulled out the paper boat and gave it to Georgie.

"Thanks. For everything."

Once everyone was ready, Terra teleported us, and we appeared in front of the Land of Departure.

I immediately walked in when everyone else did. I had to check on something. While they were giving Georgie a tour, I went to Private Terra's room. Inside, there were pictures of young Terra, young Aqua, and there he was. Young Eraqus. I knew that he wouldn't remember, but I met him when his older brother Anthony went into the war.

"He's interested in training his own for war." He had said.

I told him he'd have to apply.

At that point, Eraqus had just smiled at me, and I thought, "He's never going to."

And he never did. He didn't have to. I marveled at how Eraqus had trained such skilled people like Private Terra.

But nevermind that. I went back downstairs, and I slipped in unnoticed.

Aqua had just woken Eraqus. He sat up and yelled. "NOOOOOO!" It was horrifying, until he realized where he was. He looked like he was in pain. I felt sorry for him.

Thankfully, we were all able to explain our entire story. Erik, Hanna, Mario, Jeffy, and Georgie. Eraqus had understood all of it. Even better, DJ Khaled called Private Terra, and he invited Ven and Georgie to come!

And that gave me time. Time I needed. As they left, I walked over to Master Eraqus.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" I asked.

"Sure." He replied. "What do you need?"

"I just wanted to ask, did you ever have any siblings?"

"Ummm, I did have a brother, but he died early on in the war. Why?"

"Well... uh..." I stuttered. "I just happened to remember that I trained your brother that year. And I remember him telling me about you... wanting to train others. I wish I remembered earlier."

Eraqus looked at me. "You... knew Anthony?"

"Yeah. I was there when he took you to say goodbye."

He seemed to think for a minute, then a look of realization came across his face.

"You were the one he was talking to! I remember now!"

"Yes, I was."

He smiled. "All this time..." He chuckled. "Come on, let's go join Aqua."

486 words.